Statement of Chairman Tom Harkin (D-IA) At the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, HHS, and Education, and Related Agencies Hearing to Review the Administration's Fiscal Year 2011 Budget Request for the Department of Labor

Statement

*As Prepared for Delivery*

"Welcome back to the Subcommittee, Madame Secretary. You are here at an important time. While the significant efforts taken by this Congress and the Obama Administration have helped stabilize the economy, far too many people are out of work. Job losses during the last three months of the Bush Administration averaged more than 700,000 a month. While last month, the number of jobs lost was just 36,000. However, the national unemployment rate still stands at 9.7 percent, which means 14.9 million Americans are out of work.

"We know it could have been worse. The CBO recently estimated that roughly two million workers had jobs last quarter because of the Recovery Act. These aren't just numbers.

"Today, more than 200 construction workers are involved in building the new Job Corps Center at the Ottumwa campus of Indian Hills Community College. Madame Secretary, you joined me last year for the groundbreaking of this center. These construction jobs were made possible by $23 million in Recovery Act funds. Dr. Lindenmayer, the President of Indian Hills Community College is here today, along with students from the Denison Job Corps Center. Welcome to today's hearing. You are all great examples of the focus of today's hearing--our nation's workforce.

"Madame Secretary, your fiscal year 2011 budget builds on the foundation set by the Recovery Act and 2010 appropriations bill. You have proposed key investments in Workforce Innovation and Green Job training, to help the public workforce system train well and well serve our nation's workforce. Additional funds at the Department of Education will support this effort.

"Your budget proposes to continue the $24 million disability employment initiative that we started in the 2010 appropriations bill. This initiative will ensure that individuals with disabilities have access to appropriate employment and training opportunities through the public workforce system. More than 20 million disabled Americans are not participating in our workforce. That's a missed opportunity and we must do better.

"The downturn in the economy also means that important worker rights are more vulnerable to employer abuse or misunderstanding. Your budget proposes important investments that will help address international labor rights, worker misclassification and workplace safety and health activities.

"Your budget includes $115 million for ILAB. As you know well, this is an important agency for me as it leads our fight against the worst forms of child labor around the world. I am pleased that once again you have proposed an increase for ILAB and its critical mission.

"Your new misclassification initiative is a joint effort with the Department of Treasury. It will help DOL agencies and the States better identify and deter employers from wrongly classifying workers as independent contractors. And, the additional resources requested for Wage and Hour, OSHA, MSHA and other offices at DOL mean they will have the resources to accomplish their missions as well.

"Lastly, let me point out that this budget does not simply propose to spend more money; it also proposes to ensure its spent well. This is always important, but particularly when the government is facing a serious deficit. Your budget requests $40 million for five rigorous evaluations of DOL activities. These evaluations will help us learn how to best structure DOL programs, so they can operate more efficiently and effectively.

"As you know, the President has proposed a freeze on non-defense discretionary spending this year. The choices we face are not easy ones. However, we must make the best decisions possible to ensure that precious taxpayer resources are invested wisely. Your testimony and this hearing will help inform us as we consider appropriations for the fiscal year 2011. Madame Secretary, we appreciate you appearing before us this morning and look forward to your testimony."

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